City of Athens Mayor Marks and Limestone County Commission Chairman sign the proclamation in support of Relay for Life.

May 11, 2017 -- VENUE CHANGEDue the risk of inclement weather the organizers of the Limestone County Relay for Life have chosen to move to their rain location at the Limestone County Event Center (114 West Pryor Street in Athens). The times will remain the same from 6:00PM-12:00AM.

May 4, 2017

When you hear the word “cancer” you likely think of a person you love who has battled or is battling the disease.

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks lost a brother to cancer. Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough recently lost his father to cancer. Both leaders met to proclaim May 8-12 as Paint the Town Purple Week to encourage the community to educate themselves about cancer, donate to fight cancer, and support those in Athens and Limestone County who battle cancer.

“Each year we all are reminded how cancer is not nameless,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman. “Each of us can think of someone we know who has been impacted by it. At the city, we recently lost a co-worker to colon cancer and soon after had a co-worker diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Michelle Williamson, team captain with County for a Cure, said the Limestone County Courthouse is lighting up purple to honor Relay for Life. Businesses, agencies, churches, schools and individuals can celebrate by decorating their spaces in purple and wearing purple all week. Those who participate can post pictures with the hashtag #AthensLimestoneRelay

There are 25 teams participating in this year’s Relay for Life of Limestone County. Those teams have raised $34,861.86 and have set a goal of $70,000. Many teams have not yet turned in all of their funds. Money raised supports the American Cancer Society’s efforts to educate, conduct research, and provide patient services, such as Hope Lodge in Birmingham.

Relay for Life of Limestone County has the following events planned for Paint the Town Purple Week:

• Monday - Survivor Dinner at 6 p.m. (register at 5 p.m.) at the First Baptist Family Life Center. Dinner provided. Please RSVP by calling 256-535-1090.

• Tuesday - Bank Night for all Relay teams in Limestone County.

• Thursday - Dan Williams Memorial Blood Drive, east side of Courthouse, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drink plenty of water prior to donating. Goal is 25 pints. Williams, former mayor and state representative, died from leukemia. He needed blood transfusions while battling the disease.

• Thursday – Memorial Relay Tree Lighting at the dogwood on east side of the courthouse at 6 p.m. Tie a ribbon in memory or honor of someone who is battling or has battled cancer. Survivors can wear purple and caregivers can wear white.

• Friday - Relay Night at the Sportsplex from 6 p.m. to midnight. Steelcase has sponsored a bouncy house for children. Teams will set up tent sites and sell items or have activities. Opening ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. with a Survivors Walk, Caregivers Walk, First Responders/Active Military/Veterans Walk and Team Walk. There will be music, Zumba and more. Kona Ice, HealthSource and Our Little Kitchen Food Truck will donate part of their proceeds from the night to Relay.

It is not too late to join or start a team. For more information about Relay for Life of Limestone County, contact Cherry Hammonds, community manager, Relay For Life, Mid-South Division at cherry.hammonds@cancer.org or by phone at 256-221-3926.